Vendetta is the word, except it isn't strong enough ― SISTER SOULJAH

Cat entered the building and noticed her neighbor Eric's lights were on. Being a temperamental sculptor with conspiracy paranoia, other tenants usually gave him a wide berth. Cat delighted in listening to his rants as she was none too put off by his idiosyncrasies. But the day had been exhausting and she was spent, emotionally as well as physically. She just wanted a hot shower and her bed. As she stepped off the staircase onto the landing, she heard a door open and looked up to see Eric standing in the doorway. Not wanting to appear rude or raise any undue suspicion, she mentally prepared herself for his enthusiastic personality.

"Hi Cat. You're home early. Not working hard enough?" Eric's tone was sarcastic.

"Just burning the candle at both ends. So how was your visit home? Got anything interesting?"

Eric was an avid collector of antiques. More frequently he'd gotten obsessed with acquiring pieces from the Regency era and travelled all over the country to add to his collection. He'd recently gone home before she had moved in, to Florida to attend a private auction.

"Yeah, I acquired this amazing sampler that is said to have hung in the Prince Regent George IV home itself. Also, I got a fabulous bargain on an antique vase from Ms. Martin herself. Isn't that great?" She nodded, happy for him. "You know, she was being a bit shady about who she brought the vase from. But, Mr. Martin said whoever the seller was, didn't know the value of what he was selling. He said that the seller just disappeared never to be found again," Eric exclaimed.

"Oh God Eric. Not this again. Mr. Martin is a teacher at the local high school and not in the NSA."

"What if it's just a cover?"

"What if you were left by aliens here solely to torment me?"

"Or what if I was born in the 18th Century? I would have made a dashing duke or even a charming prince and I would have courted you and paraded you around on my arm for the world to see."

"Oh, thank you, kind sir. For then, surely I would have felt greatly obliged. Upon my word, but you're too kind."

She sank into a graceful curtsey and entered her cozy two-bedroom apartment with Eric trailing behind her.

"Don't mock me, rude child. For in God's greatest creations you are the one he has gifted oh, so benevolently and of course my humble self. So I ask of you, don't we owe it to ourselves and the good of mankind to at least try us out?"

"Try, sir? What foolishness is this? Of course, we also owe it to ourselves that we try from unleashing all our greatness on the world at once. How will they bear upon such a burden, I ask you?" With a dramatic sigh, she burst into giggles and Eric broke down into laughter himself.

They had been going on this way since she'd moved in a few days ago. She didn't think Eric was serious and after the day she'd been through, Cat was amused with his antics. Eric was an extremely talented professional sculptor with his pieces being commissioned by various national museums and galleries. She felt happy for him that he was doing so well.

It was a relief to come home and relax. Cat more than anyone else knew the privilege of homey comfort with her bohemian and adventurous lifestyle. It was only sometimes when she lay on her bed in the deep darkness that she thought about the life she could have had. If only she hadn't left Alex and if that part of her had survived the hell she'd gone through in that dark cell. No, she couldn't think like that. That dream had never been. It'd just been a ray of hope in the darkness and her ultimate downfall.

Cat ignored those dark thoughts as she pasted on a smile, "So Eric, not that I'm complaining, but have you finished your new piece? You only ever have time for li'l ole me when you're taking a break between projects."

"Aw shucks, Cat. You know I always have time for gorgeous art, be it inside my studio or outside it." He playfully waggled his eyebrows as she rolled her eyes back at him. "But since you asked, yes, I have finished my masterpiece. And just for being my best girl, you are invited to witness my flawless creation at next week's gala."

"What? No private showing for your best girl?"

"Now now my pet, don't get greedy. As God is my witness, you want the whole effect of my masterpiece to strike you just like everyone else. I promise it'll be worth it."

"Can't wait," she pouted for effect.

"Great. Now chin up, Cat. For consider this your personal invite to my showing at Le Bruge. Don't be late." He kissed her on the forehead and murmured, "See ya. Gotta check if the clay is ready."

With that Eric left and Cat felt surprisingly amazed that his touch didn't make her skin crawl but nor did it rouse any feeling of lust and hunger. It was also disappointing that she wouldn't be the first to view Eric's masterpiece. But at least he had managed to distract her from her problems, even if for a few moments. She stripped and got into the shower.

After all, everything would look better in the morning.

If only.

It had been a week since her encounter with Alex as she sat her desk going through the information she'd gathered. He'd been in meetings with delegates from Tokyo and was busy working on wrapping up the project he had contracted in China for the past few days. But all she could think about was that a simple kiss shouldn't have bought on so many complications. Complications that she couldn't afford right now. It had led Alex to give Cat the best orgasm of her life in eight years.

A simple kiss that ought to not have affected her at all. Instead, it had resulted in driving her up the wall.

Or grinding against the mattress.

Oh, just shut up, she commanded her inner voice.